Mechanically-actuated diaphragm-horn.



M. R. HUTCHiSON.

MECHANICALLY ACTUATE'D DIAPHRAGM HORN,

APPLSCATION HLED 0CT.25, 1909.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I W d/ATTORNEY M. R. HUTCHISUN.

MECHANICALLY ACTUATED DIAPHRAGM HORN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25. I909.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- INVENTOR Br W flea ATTORNEY WITNESSES.-

M. R. HUTCHISON.

MEGHANICALLY ACTUATED DIAPHRAGM HORN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, 1909.

1,169,721 Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l, INVENTOR m .46

'W, kl rrommr UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILLER REESE HUTCHISON, OF SUMMIT, NEW! JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO LOVELL-McGONNELL'MANUFACTURIIQECGMIPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

mEoHANroAIlLY-AcrUATnn DIAPHRAGM-HORN.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed October 25, 1909. Serial No. 524,558.

tain new and useful Improvements 'in Mechanically-ActuatedDiaphragm-Horns, of-

which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to horns of the above type, particularlysuch as are contemplated by my prior Patents No. 923,048, 923,049, and923,122, and various other patents and applications co-pending therewith(see, for instance, application Serial 'No. 494,120 filed May 5th, 1909,Patent No. 1,160,900 granted November 16th, 1915, and

Patent No. 1,160,899 granted Novemberl6th, 1915, on a division thereof).In said patents, I have disclosed how a thin flexible steel diaphragmhaving a fairly definite natural frequency may be caused to produce anote by continuous bodily swing on both sides of normal with a cam pushfor every swing at frequencies depending on the characteristics of thediaphragm; and, also how very fine results may be achieved when only theoutermost portions of the cam projections engage the diaphragm when inits rest position. In said prior applications, I contemplated the use ofdriving means 'gi'ving any required amount of power and any speedof camwhich might be necessary for such method of operation.

My present inventiondepends upon the discovery that it is'possible toembody in a compact, and. preferably symmetrical case, a simple drivingmechanism of such ratio of speed multiplicationthat the desired [intoeven at frequencies as-high as 300 to 450 vibrations per second can beproduced by a cam operated mechanism in which the cam may have asufiicient number (if teeth, oc-

cupying sufficient peripheral space so as not tube of unduly high pitchand in which. the multiplying gear may consist of a large gear ofdiameter approximately that of the diaphragm, while the pinion may havea sufficient number of teeth ofsufiicient size, and yet the speed and'frequency ratios of the above mentioned parts will permit of thedesired note when the crank or handle is rotated'at speeds not exceedingthose which are practicable and convenient for an ordinary unskilledoperator. Moreover, the gear ratios are such that the power r oducingeffect, necessarily attendant upon the speed multiplying effect, is notso serious but that the cam can be forced past the wearpiece from astate of rest without making therange of movement bf the crank or othermanually operable member of inconveniently great extent. Any difficultyin this respect can be taken care of in any given case by carefuladjustment of the degree of overlap of'the cam'projections with respectto the normal rest position of the diaphragm, suitableprovisionsforwhich are described hereinafter.

'W'ith the above specific commercially de-= sirable possibilities inview, I have devised ti'ons' and elements which are capable of use inspecifically different relations or in connection with coiiperatingparts specifically different from those set forth herein.

One feature of my invention relates to organization of parts whereby adrive shaft is arranged perpendicularly to the diaphragm, and preferablycentrally with re spect thereto so that the exterior case may beapproximately symmetrical with respect to such shaft as an axis. such anarrangement of the shaft is that a crown gear mounted directly on thedrive shaft may be used to operate a pinion mount ed directly on a camshaft, preferably at right angles to said drive shaft and parallel withthe diaphragm. Iprefer to dish the One advantage of w crown gear on theside toward the dia-- much greater diameter than the diameter of thepinion. the advantage being that-this makes possible the combinationof apinion having great ratio of multiplication, with a camfdriven directlythereby having a large number. of teeth, and at the same time the of thecase may be dished to correspond to the dishing of the large gear,thereby affording an ample clearance for ,the crank or handle.

Another feature of my invention depends upon the discovery that thenecessary rela-? tive adjustment'of the degree of overlap of the cam anddiaphragm wearpiece, which for the best results must be extremely fineand accurate, may be effected a simple and inexpensive way by anadjustment fof cam shaft may be arranged approximatelyparallel to the.diaphragm. 'The end wall ing relation under considerable stress. Theadjustment is effected by forcing the front clamping member toward themember carry- "ing the cam shaft, thereby compressing the gaskets andforcing the diaphragm toward the cam a distance equal to the amount ofcompression of the gasket.

A horn of the above construction is simple, compact, easily assembledand disassembled, manually operable, has its operative parts so arrangedas to permit of the ready adjustment thereof, and will produce a veryloud note of desirable pitch.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one form of horn embodying mypresent im-.

provements, although it will be understood that the scope of saidimprovements is only limited by the claims hereinafter presented.

Referring now to thesaiddrawings in which likereference characters havebeen used to designate like arts in the several viewsFigure 1 is a sideelevation'o'f one form of a manually operable horn, partly broken awayto vertical longitudinal section, Fig, 2 is a front elevation of thesaid horn with the diaphragm and horn removed, Fig. 3 is arear elevationof the horn proper with the diaphragm and diaphragm-engag.

in washers in position, some of the parts being shown in dotted linesliig. 4 is a detail view of the cam shaft, partly in elevation andpartly' in section, showing a portion of the shaft and cam lubricatingmeans embodied in said shaft, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of a camsuitable for use in a manually operatedghorna In Fig. 1 the device isshown as mounted upofi a base 1,which is provided with screw holes 2 forsecuring it to a vehicle or other platform. Thisbase is intended to bemounted firmly in osition'and in order that no particular-pains shouldbe necessarily used in positioning the same, the horn is made rotativelyadjustable thereon. To this end the upper portion of the base issocketed as at 3, and provided with-'a'thumb nut or a like device 4,threaded thereinto through a boss upon the base and adapted to engage agroove 5' in the spindle 6. This construe tion permits of r'otativeadjustment of the born, but further allows dffth'horn and mechanism,therefor being wholly removed from the socket if it be so desired,the-withdrawal of the thumb nut from engagement with the groovepermitting the removal of the horn casing. The spindle 6 extends fromand is preferably integral with :1 casing 7, said casing beingsubstantially cylindrical with flanges 8 and 9 formed respectively onthe front and rear ends thereof. In the front flange 8 are spacedthreaded apertures 10 for the reception of screws 11. These screws passthrough front case plate 12, a front washer 13, diaphragm 14, a rearwasher 15, and; are threaded into the apertures in the casing flange.

The-Washers 13 and 15 perform several functions and are preferably ma'deof some compressible cushioning material, which should be of sufli cientthickness to cover the desired range ofadjustment of the diaphragm ashereinafter described; .Cork or composition cork, certain kinds offibrous material having similar qualities are adapt ed ror, thispurpose.

Considering the effect of compressing the cushioning washers, when theyare of equal thickness, it will be seen that if the screws 11 are of,for example, thirty-two pitch, a sinle turn of said screws will draw thehorn rame inward one'thirty-sccond of an inch, but the diaphragm willhave'been pushed in but one-half of this amount, or one-sixtyfourth ofan inch. 'This permits of a very .fine adjustment ofthe said diaphragmwith respect to the cam 16, positioned a the rear thereof. By making thehorn si e washer of greater thickness than the cam side washer, thisfineness of adjustment is in- '-creased, and vice versa.

If the diaphragm be advanced inwardly too far, the-resilience of thecushion upon the inner side thereof will serve to permit of theadjusting screws being withdrawn to some degree without therebyimpairing the grip of the washers upon the peripheryof the diaphragm.This simple arrangement affords a unique and effective means forrelatively adjusting the diaphragm and cam, and is of especialimportance because of the ease with which adjustment may be accomplishedand because the cam operating parts may be made nonadjustable within thecas-- ing, thereby cheapening the cost of manufacture and simplifyingthe device. l,

The cam 1-6 is mour'ed upon cam shaft 17 which is positioned parallel tothe plane-of the diaphragm and 1s journaled in bushing 18, which in turnis carried by brackets 19, the latter being preferably formed integralwith the casing 7. The ends of the cam shaft-are reduced;or turned down,as at 2021, the end 20-havin [secured thereupon by suitable means a beveed pinion 22. The upper end 21 of saidshaft carries the cam, which iskeyed or otherwise secured thereto, as, for'example,- bya pin-23.-. Anut 24 is screwed down ,upon the threadedportion 25v of the upper end ofthe said shaft, which in turn is secured by a lock nut 26. The upper endof this lock nut is counterboredor re cessedand theend of the cam shaftis also corrgspondingly counterboregi, preferably so as to form a cone.shaped depression 27. A drilled hole 28 leads downward from thecup-shaped depression or reservoir, and am other drilled hole 52-9,extends obliquely outward from the center of'the shaft. An oil cup 30 ofsuitable construction is secured in the casing directly above therecesses before mentioned in such manner that drops of oil may falldownward through the casing into the said cup-shaped depression and soflow ondown through passages 2829 to lubricate the bushing or bearing18. Some oil will find its way over the Sides of the reservoir to theoperating peripheral surfaces of the cam by centri ugal force.

The pinion 22 which rotates the camjs driven by a bevel gear 30, whichis dished as shown in Fig. 1 at 31. As explained above, this recessingor dishing of the bevel gear permits the use of a relatively large cam.Gear 30 is provided with a spindle or shaft 32. preferably formedintegral therewith. said shaft being mounted in a hearing or bushing 33,which is carried in a hub or boss upou the center, or substantially so,of the rear plate 34. This plate is bolted or fotherwise secured toflange 9 of the casing,

and it will he noted that the removal of these bolts permits the drivingmechanism of the horn to be removed without in any manner disturbing thediaphragm; and the cam shaft may be removed from, or replaced into,its'bearing without disarranging the nice adjustment of'diaphragm withrespect to the bearings of-the cam shaft.

phragm.

The construction shown is compact and simple; the shaft 32 is positionedsubstantially in the axis of the horn and perpendicular or normal to thesurface of the dia- The handle 35, carried by the crank 36, which ismounted upon the reduced and threaded end 37 of the said shaft,

is hen e adapted to be rotated in a plane arallehto that of thediaphragm. This arrangement is desirable; since the' handle movement, ifin another plane, would be awkward.

Referring now to Figs. land 3, the horn 39 is flared somewhat more alongthe pen pendicular axis thereof than on the horizontal. and is securedto the front of face plate 12 by rivets These rivets'are spaced in aparticular manner. which corresponds to the sparing of the adjustingscrews 11. The respective rivets and adjusting screws are arranged ingroups in em 1 fashion that the face plate with the laterally flattenedhorn secured thereto may be secured to the casings in but two positions.in both of which the wide'span of'the horn 'mouth will be vertical..This locates-the horn and dia- The wear piece 40 on the diaphragm isadapted for engagement by the cam on two sides only, and the bolt holesin the edge-of the diaphragm are so related to the wear piece that-thediaphragm will be secured only in one of its two proper positions. Thispermits the diaphragm to be removed and replaced in reverse positiontoexpose either surface of. the wear iiece to the cam. A similardisposition of the rivet hole in the base of the horn proper and theflange to which it is secured, insures that the horn will be riveted totheface plate in one of its two proper positions. This obviates thepossibility of error through carelessness or inadvertence of workmenwhen assembling these parts in the course of manufacture.

The preferred form of rivet and bolt spacwhich may be used to accomplishthe desired .results hereinbefo're described, is one in which thesecuring devices nearest the plane of shortest diameter ofthe horn arefarther from each other than they are from those nearer the plane of themajor diameter.

In my present device, as shown in the drawings, I have succeeded inproducing a hand operated horn having the same method of operating andproducing the same standard full speed note asthe motor driven horns ofmy prior patents first above mentioned. As the drawings show, the rotorhas twenty camteetli and the multiplying gear gives somewhat more thanfive revolutions of the cam shaft for one revolution of the crank, sothat crank speeds somewhere between three and fiverevolutions persecondwill give cam contacts at the required rate, which will besomewherebetween three hundred (300) and four hundred and fifty (450) ormore per second, dependent on the characteristics of the particulardiaphragm used. \Vhile, as practical tests will show,

phragm in one of two possible positions.

anyoperator can conveniently attain such hand crank speed, increase ofspeed beyond this involves considerable exertion. Moreover, thegoverning effect of the diaphragm on the cam at such speeds, explainedin my I to increase his'speed to double that rate, and

hence, in practice, the cam will never be ac celerated to a speedsuflicient to intercept and cut short the return swings of the diaphragmat or near the rest position thereof.

Thus, the design of the instrument with reference to the physicallimitations of the average operator insures that normal full speedoperation will produce only the standard till full swing note with a campush for every swing of the diaphragm; a result attained in my priordevices by employing as the driving means, a suitable friction wheel ora small electric motor, adapted to permit. Ellie speed to vary inaccordance with the W011i done upon thediaphragm.

While I have herein "fully shown and described, and have ointed out inthe appen ded claims certain novel features of construction,arrangement, and operation. which characterize mv invention, it will beunderstood by thpse skilled in the art that various omissions,substitutfonaand charges in the forms, proportions, sizes and details ofthe devhe, of the materials used, and of their operation, maybe madewithout departing from my invention.

I claim:

1. A horn or signal having a diaphragm, a member rotatable about an axisnormal to said diaphragm at the center of the latter and havin' teeth onthe face thereof toward said diaphragm and spaced circularly withrespect to said axis and means arranged between said rotatable memberand said diaphragm substantially radially in respect to said a'xis foroperatively engaging said teeth and said dia' phragm at the center ofthe latter and imparting vibrations to said diaphragm upon the rotationof said rotatable member.

2. A horn or signal having a diaphragm, a drive shaft normal thereto, arotor having face projections and mounted concentric with said shaft andradially disposed means between said rotor and'said diaphragm andoperatively engaging with said projections and said diaphragm at thecenter of the lat ter for imparting vibrations to said diaphragm uponthe rotation of said shaft and rotor.

3. A horn or signal having a diaphragm, a rotor movable about anaxisnormal to said diaphragm at the center of the latter and having anannular row of projections concentric with said axis and a movablemember between said rotor and said diaphragm, said movable memberreceiving movement from said projections and im parting vibration tosaid diaphragm at the center of the latter upon the rotation of saidrotor.

4. A horn or signal having a diaphragm, a. rotor movable about an axisnormal to said diaphragm and having an annular row of projectionsconcentric with said axis and means for vibrating said diaphragm uponthe rotation of said rotor, said means including tween said rotor andsaid diaphragm and arranged radially in respect to said axis,

said movable member having operative en-- gageinent with said[)lCJQCilUJS and with 'i said diaphragm.

:1 movable member'disposed be arranged radially in respect toSflldiLXiS,

said movable member. having operative e'n gagement with said projectionsand with said wear piece.

6. In an alarm or signal device, a diaphragm, a rotary member'mounted to1'0- tate about an axis substantially parallel to the diaphragm adaptedto contact with the latter to vibrate the same, and means for operatingthe rotary member comprising a power shaft substantially perpendicularto said diaphragm and having its axis substan tially in line with thecenter of said diaphragm.

7. In an alarm or signal device, a diaphragm, means for vibrating thediaphragm comprising a rotary member mounted on a shaft substantiallyparallel to said diaphragm,,and driving nieans for. said rotary membercomprisiii a pinion on the shaft of said rotary mem er, a power shaftsubstantially perpendicular to thediaphragm at the center of the latter,a large gear on the power shaft meshing with said pinion and meaiis forsupporting said parts in compact forms. g

8. in an alarm or signal device, a diaphragm presenting a projection orWear piece at its center, a cylindrical casing in the rear of saiddiaphragm and of substantially the same diameter as said diaphragm andhaving its axis normal to the diaphragm at the center of the latter, ashaft supported within said casing and having a head presenting aplurality of teeth for successive engagement with said wear piece tovibrate said diaphragm by forcing said Wear piece bodily away fromsaidshaft, a pinion on said shaft, a drive shaft normal to saiddiaphragm and having a lar gear meshing with said pinion and a hen 1eout- S1 parallel to said diaphragm for manually rotating said driveshaft.

9. A device of the character specified, comprising a casing having atone end an opening and having a laterally extending flange attheopening, a plate provided with a central nipple registering with theopening, an intensifying horn having'one end engaged with thiynipplc, adiaphragm arranged between the plate and the flange across the openingof the nipple, said diaphragm having a transversely rohnded Jug on itsinner fare. a disk mounted to rotate in the casing, said dishhavingteeth for ende of said casing and movable in a plane gaging thelug to vibrate the diaphragm when the disk 18 rotated, means for-rotatmgthe disk, said means comprisinga pinion coaxial with the disk, a gearwheel journaled in the casing and engaging the pinion, and a crankconnected to the gear wheel for turning the same. p 10. A device of theclass-specified, com prising a casing having at one end an openmg, aplate extending across said opening and provided with a central nipple,a projectorhaving one end engaging with the nipple, a diaphragm arrangedbetween .the

plate and the end of the casing across the opening, said diaphragmhaving a wearpiece on its inner face, a disk mounted to rotate inthecasing, said disk having teeth for engaging the wear-piece to vibratethe diaphragm when the disk is rotated, means for rotating thedisk, saidmeans comprising a pinion co-axial with the disk, a gear-wheel journaledin the casing and engaging the pinion, and power means connected tothegear wheel for turning the same.

11- A horn or signaling device having a diaphragm, a member having itsaxis normal to said diaphragm and having an annular row Oflgefi! teethconcentric with said axis and a member between said first mentioned 80member.- and said diaphragm, said second mentioned member 'including ashaft parallel with the diaphragm, a pinion meshing with said firstmentioned member and a cam forvibr'iting said diaphragm, and means ssforrotating one of said members in respect to the other and about saidaxis,

12. A horn or signaling device having a biaphragm, a member having itsaxis normal losaid diaphragm at the center of the latter rod having anannular row of gear teeth concentric with said axis and of a diameterapproximating that of the diaphragm, and

a member between said first mentioned member andsaid diaphragm, saidsecond mentioned member including a shaft parallel with the diaphragm, apinion meshing with saidfirst mentioned member and a cam for vibratingsaiddiaphragm, and means for rotatin'gone of said members in respect tothe other and about said axis.

13. A horn havinga diaphragm, a wearpiece secured thereto at the center,a meme r havii its axis normal to said diaphragm and having an annularrow of gear teeth 56 concentric with said axis, a member disposedbetween said first mentioned member and said diaphragm and includingashaft arranged radially in respect to said axis, a

cam engaging with said wear-piece and 60 means for affecting a rotationof said shaft and cam about their axis upon a rotation of one of saidmembers about said first mentioned axis. t

14. A- horn or signaling device having a diaphragm, a gear wheel of adiameter approximating. that of the diaphragm and having its axis normalto the diaphragm and having its teeth presented toward said diaphragm,

a shaft between said gear wheel and said diaphragm and substantiallyparallel to the latter, a rotor carried by said shaft for vibra tingsaid diaphragm, and means for rotating said shaft upon the rotation ofsaid gear wheel.

15. A horn or signaling device having a diaphragm, a diaphragm casingextending rearwardl y therefrom and including a peipheral wall clampedto the peripheral portron of said diaphragm and a rear end wall, a,shaft projecting through said rear wall and carried therebysubstantially at right angles to said diaphragifiia shaft within saidfirst mentioned shaft.

16. In an alarm or signal device, a diaphragm presenting a projection drwearpiece at its center, a cylindrical casing in the rear of saiddiaphragm and having its axis normal to latter, a s

the diaphragm at the center of the bait supported within said casingparallel to said diaphragm and having a head presenting on its peripherya plurality of teeth for successive engagement with said wear-piece tovibrate said diaphragm by forcing said wear-piece bodily away from saidshaft, a pinion on said shaft, a drive shaft having a large gear withinsaid casing "and meshing with said pinion, and a manually operablemember outside of said casing and mova ble in'a plane parallel to saiddiaphragm for rotating said drive shaft.

17. In an alarmor signaling device of the class described, a thinelastic steel diaphragm p rovided with a suitable wear-piece,

a casing including a front wall carrymg a -horn or mouth-piece and arearward extension clamped to said front wall to secure the periphery ofthe diaphragm therebetween, forming with said diaphragm a closedchamber, and a rotary cam having a multiplicity of cam projectionsrotatably mounted within said chamber and slightly overlapping saidwear-piece, in combination with a manually operated driv ng mechanismfor said cam comprising a manually operable member lpcated outside :ofsaid casing and extending into the same, and a speed-changing.powertransmitting mechanism within said casing and opera tivelyconnected with saidmember and said cam for a ating, the latter, thenumber of the projections-on said cam, its overlap onthe wear-piece andthe ratio of its peripheral movement to the movement of the manualljvoperable' member being pre-' determine d with reference to each otherandioa with reference to the characteristic of the and State of New York,this 22nd day of diaphragm so that the cam may be easily October, A. D.,1909. started and quickly speuded to a full normal speed giving a bodilyswing of said dia- MILLER REESE HUTCHISON' 5 plii'agxn on both sides ofits normal 'rest Witnesses: pnsition with a cam push for every swing.GEORGE C. DEAN,

Signed at New York city, in the county RVING M: OBR EGHT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

with feference to th' cliafacteristicsof the and Stat New York522ndwday. of diaphragm so that the cam may be easily October,- A Di,1909.:- y

started and quickly specded to a full pormal R REESE HUTCHISON speedgiving a bodily swing .of sad diav 5 phragm onj both sides of its normal[rest Wltnesses:

position with a cam push for every swing. GEORGEQ'DEAN,

Signet? at New York cit in the county IRVING M.- OBRIEGH'ILI 7 Copies 02thig'patefit may be obtained :6: fiv'e cents each, by addrssing 'theCommissione; of m wa shington, D. c." v l is llgfeby certified thltt ths Statgl bf iI IQOIPOI 'QItiOIi' Ljlfi gml, gx llted Ja nu afj 25, 1916,: theltglllchtiml of Miller Rese so ri, pf :New Jgrgeyg for 'ax;itnprdvmlerlt Megahanically-lAtuated Diaphg alfi-flillsfiiwas e rronebus l y givex as ligw-Jgrsey, vtllereas saidState isho ald hat beet gitnids De Zdware, as Show; by th'Ij CO I'dS of a ssignmlltsfin thisofiic; 5nd th's it satid 'Letterslateht read with this corrgctiontherein that the sam rfiaytqnform to the l col 'dlo f 'the. cgs'e in thei atent Oifigie. lsif nedanggeil thigifith tlaj of Felfruary,1.D., 1916.v V l mil r I f R. F. W ITEHEAD, i i a l I Q Q 4 P AdingC'm'missionefofPatentmj' OI.116-1. I

0mm" n Letters P m-mm, 1,1 9,721.

It is hereby certified that the State of incorporetion in Letters PatentNo. 1,165,721, granted January 25, 1916, upon the application of Miller-Reese Hutchi son, of Summit, New Jersey, for an improvement in"Mechanically-Actuated Diaphragm-Horns, was erroneously given as NewJersey, whereas said State should have been given as Delaware, as shownby the records of assignments in this office; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Si ned and sealed this" 15th day of February, A. 1)., 1916.

um R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner f Patents. C1. 116-1. 4

